Designer Reimagines Fiat 127 for the 21st Century as the 500's Big Brother

The Fiat 127 was a replacement for the pretty 850, and it was built between 1971 and 1983, when it was replaced by the Uno. It followed a simple design strategy of clean shapes and lines with good proportions. This is why if you see one on the street today, particularly in a nice color, you will notice it.

Now the 127 has been reimagined for the 21st century as a big brother to the successful 500, and could theoretically be built, as it has been designed to not only look as close as possible to the original model, but to also be built on the same platform that underpins the Fiat Punto and Alfa Romeo MiTo. It is the work of David Obendorfer, who also gave us this modern Renault 4.

It is impressive how he has managed to keep the important styling cues, and not make their inclusion in the overall design in any way contrived – this is genuinely a good-looking car. What's more interesting is that, it would also make sense for Fiat to build it. Allow us elaborate.

Fiat is clearly good at making small cars, and this 127 is not only appealing aesthetically, but the Italians would not have to sink too much money into it as they could use an existing platform. The local Italian market would probably go crazy if something like this were to be built. Unfortunately, since Fiat is not at its strongest now, the odds of the modern 127 sub-compact hatch becoming a reality are extremely slim.